Motor imagery and task-focused exercise for shoulder impingement
Effectiveness of Graded Motor Imagery and Task-Oriented Exercise Training in Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
This program will try two added therapies—graded motor imagery or task-focused exercises—alongside standard electrotherapy to see if they reduce pain and improve shoulder movement and function in adults 25–65 with shoulder impingement.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 25 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fenerbahce University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07290660 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized study will enroll 66 adults aged 25–65 with unilateral stage I or II shoulder impingement and assign them to conventional physiotherapy, graded motor imagery plus standard care, or task-oriented exercise plus standard care. All groups receive standardized electrotherapy while the two intervention groups complete a structured 6-week program specific to their approach. Outcomes including pain, range of motion, strength, proprioception, functional status, kinesiophobia, laterality recognition, movement imagery ability, and patient satisfaction will be measured before and after the intervention by the same physiotherapist. The goal is to determine whether adding motor imagery or task-focused exercises provides measurable benefit beyond conventional physiotherapy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 25–65 with a physician-diagnosed unilateral stage I or II shoulder impingement, positive Neer and Hawkins tests, at least 3 months of shoulder pain, no physiotherapy for shoulder problems in the past year, ability to follow instructions, and a Standardized Mini-Mental Test score of 24 or above.
Not a fit: People with prior shoulder surgery, a corticosteroid injection in the past three months, uncontrolled neurological/cardiac/systemic disease, cognitive impairment, or other exclusionary conditions may not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from the specific motor imagery program tested.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding graded motor imagery or task-oriented exercises could reduce pain and improve shoulder motion, strength, proprioception, and daily function for people with shoulder impingement.
How similar studies have performed: Components of this approach have shown benefit in other musculoskeletal and chronic pain settings—task-oriented rehabilitation has supporting evidence for functional gains and graded motor imagery has been effective in some chronic pain syndromes—while direct comparisons in shoulder impingement are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:Adults aged 25-65 years Diagnosed with Stage I or Stage II shoulder impingement syndrome by an Orthopedics or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician Positive Neer and Hawkins tests Unilateral shoulder pain for at least 3 months No participation in any physiotherapy program for shoulder problems within the last year Ability to cooperate and follow instructions A score of 24 or above on the Standardized Mini-Mental Test - Exclusion Criteria: History of previous shoulder surgery Local corticosteroid injection within the last three months Presence of uncontrolled neurological, cardiac, or systemic diseases that may interfere with function Cognitive impairments that may affect proper understanding or execution of the motor imagery program A score below 24 on the Standardized Mini-Mental Test \-
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Istanbul Medipol University, Institute of Health Sciences — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Yeliz Çırak, PT, MSc
- Email: yeliz.cirak@fbu.edu.tr
- Phone: 05373298320
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.